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PhD student Alina Ntsiapane dominates in international research pitching contest

10 May 2022 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Supplied

Alina Ntsiapane, a PhD student at the University of the Free State, obtained second place in the partners category of the International Livestock Research Institute’s (ILRI) CapDev Grand Challenge research pitching contest, which took place on 13 April 2022. The pitching contest is the first part of the CapDev Grand Challenge, which is a 10-month process aimed at equipping scientists with the necessary skills to contribute to new research.

Presenting Research to a Tough Panel of Judges

Ntsiapane was one of 30 contestants who presented their research virtually to a panel of esteemed judges. “It was not easy, it was very challenging for me because it was my first time presenting my PhD study and I had to do it live on an international platform,” expressed Ntsiapane. Although each contestant is thoroughly prepared for their respective presentations, Ntsiapane argues that some of the questions asked by the judges can be quite daunting. “Some of their questions were very challenging and I did not know how to respond to them, but they made me aware of ways in which I needed to improve my research,” she stated. However, regardless of the intensity of the pitching contest, Ntsiapane’s research allowed her to progress to the next stage of the CapDev Grand Challenge. She will be part of the rigorous 10-month training process that will begin in June 2022.

Ntsiapane’s Research Project

Ntsiapane’s PhD research focuses on the production of smallholder wool as a means to improve livelihoods in both Thaba ’Nchu and Botshabelo in the Free State. In fact, in the research Ntsiapane highlights that there has been a significant decline in the production of wool within the last three decades. As such, Ntsiapane believes it is imperative to create spaces that allow for the training of small-scale farmers, so that the production of wool can still be a possibility.

Consequently, Ntsiapane hopes that the 10-month training she will receive from the CapDev Grand Challenge will not only allow her to grow but will assist in opening doors for her. “I’m hoping to get exposure and to make connections with policy makers and the donors as well. This will assist me in achieving my goals,” she explained.

Future Endeavours After the Training Course

Subsequent to the training course, Ntsiapane would like to utilise that knowledge by continuing to make her most recent project a reality. Ntsiapane is currently working on developing a television show aimed at providing adequate training to small-scale farmers, so that they are equipped with the necessary knowledge and understanding of the industry in which they find themselves. As such, being part of the CapDev Grand Challenge will allow her to learn some of the necessary ways in which this dream could become a reality.

News Archive

UFS increases admission requirements

2010-07-26

Admissions criteria for entry to undergraduate programmes at the University of the Free State (UFS) will be increased with immediate effect. This means that students who begin their undergraduate studies in 2011 will need to meet the new admissions criteria in order to register.

“Increasing admissions requirements is a critical component of our unwavering commitment to excellent academic standards and educational quality at the UFS,” said Prof. Driekie Hay, Vice-Rector: Teaching and Learning at the UFS.

“The challenge of student success at most South African universities is something that has attracted increasing attention over the past few years. We believe that it is our responsibility as an educational institution to admit students that we are confident are likely to be successful, and also to provide the very best quality of teaching and learning to ensure success.”

The university is also acutely aware that large numbers of young people in the country attend schools that are not adequately resourced to provide the quality of schooling needed for successful university study.

“We are thus committed to working with schools and with talented learners in order to address this challenge,” said Prof. Hay.

“The university currently has several initiatives in this regard. Further, our innovative and extremely successful University Preparation Programme (UPP) provides an opportunity for students with potential who do not meet the university entrance criteria to complete a bridging year that prepares them for the rigours of university.”

For students who begin their studies in 2011 the following changes will come into effect:

The minimum requirement for entry into undergraduate programmes will increase from 28 points to 30 points.
The minimum requirement for entry into extended programmes will increase from 23 points to 25 points.
The minimum requirement for entry into the University Preparation Programme will increase from 17 points to 20 points.
Subject-specific requirements specified by faculties will remain the same, except for Natural and Agricultural Sciences (contact the Faculty Manager at 051 401 3199).
All programmes that already require a minimum score of 30 points and above will not be changed.
The minimum entrance criteria for the B.Ed. Foundation Phase and B.Ed. Intermediate Phase will increase from 23 points to 25 points.
The minimum entrance criteria for B.Soc.Sc. Nursing will increase from 28 to 29 points.

Performance in the National Benchmark Tests will be used for placing students into academic support modules as needed.

These test results will not be used for admissions decisions in 2011, except for Faculties where it is used as part of their selection process.
Prospective students are encouraged to submit their applications for study in 2011 as soon as possible.
For telephone enquiries, please dial 051 401 3000.

More information (Pdf document, English and Afrikaans)

Media Release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt@ufs.ac.za
26 July 2010

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